Tuesday 30 June

• Reception and dinner - OPTIONAL

Wednesday 1 July

• 08.30 Registration
  
  
• 09.00 Welcome to the UK HR conference 2009 from Alan Whalley, UK Chief executive, Mercer
  
  

• 09.15 Keynote address: Martin Wolf, Financial Times
  
  Economic outlook: implications for UK employers
  To set the context for the day’s discussions, Martin Wolf will share his perspective on the outlook for the global and UK economy. With nearly two decades of experience in analysing and forecasting the world economy and assessing consequential risks, Martin is well placed to make sense of the current challenging economic environment. He will discuss the short and long term implications of the current global financial crisis for labour markets and employers, in both developed and developing economies.
  
  Martin Wolf, Financial Times
  

• 10.15 Panel Discussion - Employer outlook: implications of the current economic environment for HR, people and benefit strategies.
  
  Drawing on research Mercer has conducted with clients we will explore the implications of the current challenging economic environment for employers’ HR, people and benefits strategies.
  
  Then, with a panel of speakers from HR, compensation and benefits, and pensions, we will discuss how employers are addressing some of the biggest challenges they are facing.
  
  Tony Brown, Managing director of people and change, Friends Provident
  Keith Hunter, Vice president of International HR operations, NCR
  Lorna MacMillan, Regional head of rewards, Hewlett Packard
  Peter Robotham, UK reward director, HSBC Bank Plc
  Chris Johnson, Head of Mercer’s UK human capital business
  

• 11.10 Break
  
  
• 11.30 - 13.00 Breakouts: effective strategies for challenging times
  A series of parallel breakout sessions focused on specific aspects of HR, people and benefits strategy. Delegates will be able to attend two sessions.
  
  
• 13.00 Lunch
  
  
• 14.00 Retaining key talent
  The economy is placing considerable pressure on employers’ ability to manage talent, and yet survival and being ready for the upturn depend on having the best talent in place. Using case studies, we will review what employers are doing to identify their key talent and how they are adapting their talent management strategies. The session will offer practical solutions and guidance on how to keep key talent engaged and focused on the business.
  
  Jim Matthewman, Worldwide partner, Mercer
  Jesper Bulskov, Vice president group HR, Rockwool
  
  
• 14.40 Reward in 2009 and planning for 2010
  The economic environment has caused many companies to change their plans for reward in 2009. There is much uncertainty and it is critical to maintain flexibility and the ability to adapt to market demand. How are employers approaching the annual pay and bonus cycle? In this session, we will share data on what employers are doing, and discuss strategies for containing employment costs while recognising the value of key talent.
  
  Mark Hoble, Principal, Mercer
  Milan Taylor, Head of Mercer’s information, products and solutions business, UK and Ireland
  We will also facilitate a roundtable discussion to share experiences among peers.
  
  
• 15.30 Break
  
  
• 15.50 Human resources – rising to the challenges
  In this session, we will hear what key stakeholders in the business are looking for from HR. What does HR need to deliver? How does it contribute to the business goals? How does it meet the short-term challenges while protecting longer-term strategies and demonstrate ROI on its contribution?
  
  We will explore how HR is responding to the challenges and will outline practical actions and tips based on the experience of our clients.
  
  John Athanasiou, Director of people, HarperCollins
  Michael Noakes, Head of employment, employee relations and diversity, CBI
  Anne Minto OBE, Group director HR, Centrica plc
  Sir Peter Middleton, UK chairman, Marsh & McLennan Companies
  Trevor Matthews, CEO, Friends Provident
  Jonathan Mindell, Head of Mercer’s European outsourcing business
  
  
• 16.40 Wrap up and close